Photo Blog Covering the City of Brussels, Belgium

After thousands of pictures taken in and around the city I finally decided to open my website dedicated to anyone from tourists that wish to know more about the major attractions of the city to the long time resident that wants to rediscover Brussels and some of its lesser known treasures. More →

Cimetière du Dieweg

As in the case of several other cemeteries in Brussels, the Dieweg Cemetery was created following the terrible epidemic of cholera that hit the city in 1866. Due to its rapid saturation caused by the closing of two other cemeteries and population growth, authorities decided to open a new cemetery in 1945 leading to the full decommissioning of the Dieweg in 1958. Certainly one of the most unusual places of Brussels, you will find here an unexpected combination of gravestones, funeral statues and mausoleums all slowly getting overrun by luxuriant undergrowth conveying it a romantic atmosphere. Some sections of the cemetery with its lush flora and fauna gives you the impression of being and explorer discovering the remains of some ancient civilization. Famous Belgian figures of the end of the 19th century up until WW2 such as: Hergé, Paul Hankar, Jean-Pierre Cluysenaar and Charles Woeste were buried here.

Location of Cimetière du Dieweg:

Photos of Cimetière du Dieweg:

Natures tight grip

Together for eternity

Remnants of some ancient civilization?

One of the many paths running across the cemetery

Slow but certain mummification of tombs

Dissapearing

Harry Potter look-alike

A special waver was granted in 1983 for Georges Remi alias Hergé, the famous creator of the Adventures of Tintin, to be buried here.

Grave of violinist Philippe Hirshhorn winner of the 1967 Queen Elisabeth International Music Competition of Belgium.

Could anyone explain me why such a beautiful cemetery has been left unintended in a more than civilised country like Belgium….? It looks so sad not only because of material degradations but also because of the sudden removal of humans. The results that have occurred when people like here discontinue the maintenance of buildings and urban infrastructure are more than discouraging. I am very disappointed…

There just isn't enough "real estate" on this planet to tend for everyone's lot 100 years or so after their death
as 200 000 people die every day.. Eventually no one has a living memory of your time on this earth and no one ever visits.

After a certain amount of time everything the cemetary will be wiped clean and place will be made for the next generation.